Thoughts on the Journey

I think I need to get into the habit of writing every week as things happen and I go, I should write about that and then I don't. And I like seeing what's going on with other people's lives and also for me its helpful to go, I want to do this and writing is a way to go, should do this.

Nice big things, my parents visited last weekend and we went to the MFA and saw a fascinating Dali exhibit. I had no idea how much he was influenced by the history of art. Also we saw a beautiful small exhibit of Indigenous prints and had what felt like one floor of the museum to ourselves. The bottom of the tower where I think the Korea exhibit was and the new one is going to be Georgia O'Keoffe and someone else. Then walked through this Dress Up exhibit and one about Japan and radio, interesting to see how Art Deco and all were interpreted. Then there was some confusion as we kind of lost track of each other before getting lost in the gorgeous museum shop. I didn't buy anything but was tempted by those miniature set ups.

I'm setting up my new desk and planted an amaryllis bulb that I've had for about a year and its started growing. But I want more things, and its hard to pick which of my little things to bring to work. I might bring Yrael in his blue pot. Recently I did two little lego kits, which were so satisfying; an A-wing with Captain Rex and an X-wing. They reminded me that I have a U-wing model that I've had for years and should put that together. My desk is in a corner of the basement so I have privacy after not having it which is nice. And then when I'm on the Reference Desk, I'm right near the main entrance. Also loving setting up book displays and looking into planning programs and thinking about adding more diversity to things. Lots to learn.

I've also been thinking about decorating my apartment more now that I can actually put holes in the walls. Not the biggest fan sometimes of my super, there's a beeping from the fire alarm panel and when contacted he went, I'll talk to an electrician. And it was like okay, yes, not as bad as it could be but a consistent beeping over an entire weekend isn't good. Its quiet enough, I thought it was a truck backing up and only realized what it was when I went out and passed the panel.

Good job news, end of the day on Friday, there was a union meeting as they were working on a new contract and did great stuff. My timing for going full time actually has worked out really well as I get the benefit, which balances out some annoying things when I started.

I've also got into the Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell read through which makes me so happy. This book has been a contast for me since I left for New Zealand, which I'm now realizing was right when it came out. This is one of those books I imprinted on as faeries, historical fiction and magic just out of view. I'm on my third copy of the book, first one was left in NZ, second I think gave away after a move, not sure. Current copy I found at a used booksale and then its autographed and make me happy.

In terms of things I want to do, more decorating, sorting papers shred, figure out my dresser and sort clothing so I can buy fun things and figure out seeing shows and going to Renn Faire, just more doing things. Next weekend will be busy as I have an event but I feel hopeful.

My New Year's has been quiet, I successfully made challah bread with a fig filling that was used in French bread this morning and was delicious. This past year has been full of so much good and bad that I'm ready for a new one especially where I can get more settled.

The big things that I want to do in the coming year are travel more, find ways to be more social and creative in my new neighborhood and be active as much as I can in my new job at my old place. I just want to build on the new foundations that I created last year and trust that they won't disappear. I think that was the biggest scar that my bad landlady and mice experience left me with, this worry and sense of uncertainty especially in my home. The new place is lovely and the management so far are great but I'm taking my time feeling settled.

For Yuletide I wrote A Divided Duty, an October Daye fic of the teens hanging out together. I was very lucky that my request was a fic that I've been wanting to write.

Next week, I'm back to work and will have two lovely paychecks, one in my mail and one later this week, which along with holiday money will go towards making my home feel like a home. Also I'm going to take one of my SWs toys to live on my desk so work feels more like my space. I have things I meant to mail that will go out at some point and want to spend more time with my friends. I hope everyone has a wonderful new year.

I meant to post earlier since I've now been in the new place just over a month and I really like it, but wow, I have so little energy. It kind of feels like I used up so much energy in July and August for all the mice and moving that I've hit September and almost deflating. My parents came to visit at the start of the month which was really nice, they helped me with setting some things up and it was nice just to spend time with them and see my other relatives too, who's cat likes me again.

Work has been going along, I now have a work email which is very nice but I still really miss desk shifts. I'm getting efficient at the end processing for books but I miss the variation of interactions from the desk.

I still have more things to set up, I keep planning to do things and then sleeping in and not doing what I had in mind. I know none of it will take that long and will be satisfying to get sorted but there are still boxes, the majority of them empty but still. And need to change my address in a few places and get my car inspected, life keeps on happening.

I think I'm going to talk with my parents and brother in France about a visit out there, which I hope will also include some time in the UK for seeing people. And I want to poke around more for where to make connections in my new neighborhood. I'm playing D&D again tonight, which will be good too, missed and didn't have some sessions but hopefully can get back to playing more consistently. Next weekend there's a mini romance con at my library which will be neat.

I'm really looking forward to the new Andor series and love how the Rogue One/rebelcaptain fandom is getting revved up for it.

And Yuletide nominations are open which is wild, need to remember to do them, Old Kingdom in the hope that someday, someone will write me Sameth/Ferin and a DWJ or two.

So last night, kind of early around 10:30, I saw a mouse in my apartment just one and so ended up not really being in my apartment. I spent most of today out to get traps and had the worst email exchange with my landlady. She claimed that the exterminators came twice and found nothing, which isn’t true. I was there both times, the exterminator plugged a hole in the wall which I heard mice dying behind. And apparently the super said the building doesn’t have mice even though they have a monthly deal with the exterminators, so I don’t know why she’s suddenly going nope, not real. Then she was like oh but you can get some traps. Which I did and set them and I’m going to try and actually make it through the night then call the super and exterminators tomorrow as well as figuring out getting my car fixed.

Oh and dentist on Tuesday as I have cavities, its just a lot. If it wasn’t two months before my lease goes and September is when everyone moves in my neighborhood, I’d be out. I’m going to look at places and my lease as she hasn’t sent the renewal yet. I’m just a mess.